Barleycorn   •   For Folk Sake

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  • For Folk Sake
    • 1975 - Dolphin DOLM 5016 LP (IRL)
  • Side One
    1. Donegal Danny (Phil Coulter)
    2. Drops of Brandy (Slip Jig) (Trad. arr. Barleycorn)
    3. Belfast Town (Cop. Con.)
    4. Lilting Fisherman & Sackows (Jigs) (Trad. arr. Barleycorn)
    5. Ireland Live On (Cop. Con.)
    6. Oh, Ro My Johnny (S. McCarthy)
  • Side Two
    1. Easter Time (Liam Tiernan), Freedom Sons (Tommy Makem)
    2. Paddy Ryan's Dream & Primrose Lass (Reels) (Trad. arr. Barleycorn)
    3. Buachaill On Eirne (Trad. arr. Barleycorn)
    4. Showman's Fancy (Hornpipe) & The Plough and the Stars (Reel) (Trad. arr. Barleycorn)
    5. Sing All Your Troubles Away (Liam Tiernan)
    6. Farewell to Nova Scotia (Cop. Con.)

  • The Barleycorn
  • Credits
    • Produced for Dolphin Records by the Barleycorn at Trend Studios, Dublin
    • Photography: Jim Travers
    • Cover Design: Paul Archer

Sleeve Notes

The standard of entertainment demanded by the public is continually changing which creates an ever-present challenge for artists and groups in their efforts to achieve or maintain success.

For a group like Barleycorn this challenge is greater than for most since they came on the scene with a dramatic suddenness and a specific line in material and presentation.

Over the years they have maintained their attraction while changing musically, vocally and visually.

This album though essentially different from any of their other albums, is a true reflection of the present successful Barleycorn. The fiddle, after three years now an integral part of the group's sound, is to be heard for the first time on this album masterfully played by Paul who began to study classical music at the early age of eight, but soon found his love for traditional music and song taking priority. He blows a good whistle too, as can be heard on the "Drops of Brandy" when John plays a duet with him to get your hands clapping. Barleycorn's musical horizons have broadened as can be heard from their choice of songs and tunes presented on this album with the feeling and emotion evident in all of their music.

Audiences, too, are now as international as the group's repertoire and the boys are regularly to be found on stages throughout North America and Britain when they are not keeping feet tapping on the home circuit.

The songs lead off with Brian singing Phil Coulter's "Donegal Danny" which will always be a topical story in this seabound island of ours. "Belfast Town" sung by Liam again hits at a problem which, hopefully, will soon be just a bad memory. "Easter Time/Freedom Sons" will bring back memories but will also give strength. Hope is always round the corner and the delightful "Buachaill on Eirne" and "Sing All Your Troubles Away" point to the crack in the dark clouds.

The included twelve tracks provide a patch work picture, in sound, of the Barleycorn. So have a listen, then, "For Folk Sake", go to the show. Barleycorn will be as happy to see you as you will be when you have seen them.